Significant research has shown that diverse teams can develop more innovative ideas. When people from different contexts work together, their unique perspectives lead to greater creativity.
At the Centre, we aim to build a diverse team and create a culture engrained with our IDEA values and behaviors. We aim to create a sense of belonging and shared purpose for our Centre members to become inclusive individuals and we aim to amplify and leverage the efforts, resources, movements, and voices of underrepresented groups to support Centre members and allies.
What does Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access mean to us?
Inclusion – The act of creating an environment in which any individual or group will be welcomed, respected, supported and valued as a fully participating member. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces and respects differences.
Diversity – A term used to describe individual differences (e.g. life experiences, learning and working styles, personality types) and group/social differences (e.g. race, socio-economic status, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, ability, intellectual traditions and perspectives, as well as cultural, political, religious, and other affiliations)
Equity – The fair treatment, access, opportunity and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups. The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is necessary to provide equal opportunities to all groups.
Access – addresses existing practical and systematic boundaries that prevent the disadvantaged from fully participating in work opportunities, activities, events, and social life. These include but are not limited to physical limitations such as colour blindness, mobility issues, hearing difficulties, and other disabilities. These also involve cultural and social nature barriers, such as religious practices, communication practices, and language.
We are inclusive, open and respectful. We value the differences individuals bring to the work environment. We give fair and just treatment of all potential and existing members of the community.
We are inclusive, open and respectful. We value the differences individuals bring to the work environment. We give fair and just treatment of all potential and existing members of the community. Decadal Plan Champions
Discover the Centre's gender equity commitment in its 10-year Women in STEM plan
IDEA News
Participating University IDEA Policies & Resources
Each of our partner universities are active within the DEI landscape and have their own policies and resources that we encourage our members to visit. The IDEA work we do at the Centre provides additional support and initiatives which compliment ongoing work in these areas.
Australian National University – Diversity & Inclusion
RMIT University – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access
University of Technology Sydney – Diversity & Inclusion
University of Western Australia – Diversity Equity and Inclusion
University of Melbourne – Diversity and inclusion